The battlefield fell silent.
The last fragments of the Emerald Guardian drifted through the air like emerald snow.
Thousands of monsters had vanished.
Only broken crystal...
Scorched earth...
And exhausted soldiers remained.
For several long moments...
No one moved.
Then...
A thunderous cheer erupted across Base 101.
"VICTORY!"
"FOR BASE 101!"
"LONG LIVE COMMANDER SAM!"
The sound echoed across the kingdom.
Even the refugees joined in.
This victory belonged to everyone.
---
Sam slowly lowered Soul Reaver.
The black mana surrounding the blade faded.
He exhaled.
His legs finally felt heavy.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Vital signs stable.
Mana reserves... Twelve percent remaining.
Sam chuckled.
"So I really emptied the tank."
Affirmative.
---
Ben approached first.
His new blue cloak fluttered behind him.
The armor of a Vanguard General still shimmered with fresh System energy.
He struck a fist against his chest.
"The northern wall is secure."
"No monster breached the city."
Sam smiled.
"Good work, General."
Ben blinked.
Then laughed.
"...That'll take some getting used to."
---
Nearby...
The Goblin Archmage floated toward Sam.
Its new staff glowed softly.
The Goblin Warlord King followed behind.
The two undead stopped before their Commander.
Without a word...
They bowed.
Sam nodded.
"You both fought well."
Blue soul flames flickered proudly in their eyes.
---
Mira arrived with several healers.
"Report."
One healer smiled.
"No fatalities."
Another added,
"Three hundred and twelve wounded."
"All expected to recover."
Relief spread through the officers.
Base 101 had survived a Regional Monster Migration...
Without losing a single defender.
Mira smiled quietly.
"We kept our promise."
"No one died today."
---
George came running across the battlefield.
Covered in dust.
Again.
"Commander!"
Sam laughed.
"You've been building during the battle."
George looked confused.
"...Of course."
He pointed back toward the kingdom.
"The Alliance Hall only lost one support beam."
Master Doran walked up behind him.
"It has already been replaced."
George folded his arms proudly.
"We don't waste time."
---
Leon emerged from the forest.
The Shadow Scouts appeared one after another behind him.
Every scout returned.
Ben looked relieved.
"No losses?"
Leon shook his head.
"No."
He held out a small emerald crystal.
"I found this."
Sam accepted it.
The crystal was warm.
Ancient symbols slowly moved beneath its surface.
Inside his mind...
Rex became unusually quiet.
Several seconds passed.
Then...
Analysis complete.
Item identified.
---
Unknown Relic
Observer Crystal Fragment
Origin: Unknown
Technology does not match any recorded civilization in Eastern Aetherra.
---
Sam frowned.
"So..."
"They really aren't from the east."
Leon answered simply.
"No."
---
Before anyone could discuss it further—
DING!
Golden light spread across the battlefield.
Every citizen looked toward the sky.
A massive System screen unfolded above Base 101.
---
KINGDOM DEFENSE COMPLETE
Base 101
Performance Evaluation
Population Protected... Complete
Kingdom Integrity... Excellent
Military Coordination... Exceptional
Civilian Casualties... Zero
Military Casualties... Zero
Elite Regional Monster... Eliminated
Overall Rating...
SSS
---
The soldiers erupted into cheers.
But the System wasn't finished.
Another notification appeared.
---
Rewards Granted
Commander Level Increased
All Participating Soldiers Receive Experience
Morale Permanently Increased
Base Reputation Greatly Increased
Special Reward...
Regional Guardian's Heart
---
A sphere of emerald light slowly descended from the heavens.
It floated toward Sam.
Within it rested a crystal heart.
Beautiful.
Ancient.
Filled with endless emerald mana.
Sam reached out.
The crystal gently settled into his hands.
Immediately...
Soul Reaver vibrated.
The emerald heart answered.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke with unmistakable interest.
Commander...
Regional Guardian's Heart acquired.
Extremely rare.
Recommendation... Do not consume.
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"You already know what it's for?"
Not completely.
However...
Probability that it is connected to the Emerald Wildlands exceeds ninety-nine percent.
---
At that same moment...
Far inside the Emerald Wildlands...
The ancient Regional Lord slowly opened its eyes.
It looked toward Base 101.
For the first time...
It sensed the disappearance of its Guardian.
Then...
It sensed something else.
Its heart...
Had chosen a new bearer.
The ancient being slowly stood.
Emerald vines withdrew from an enormous stone throne.
Its voice echoed through the forgotten city.
"So..."
"You accepted the first key."
Ancient runes across the ruins began glowing one after another.
"The path..."
"...is now open."
Across Eastern Aetherra...
The emerald pillar burned brighter than ever before.
The countdown continued.
Seventeen days remained.